Guyana is a country located in South America, bordered by Venezuela to the west, Brazil to the south, Suriname to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. The capital and largest city is Georgetown.

Guyana has a diverse population with its roots in African, Indian, European, and Indigenous cultures. The official language is English, and the country's currency is the Guyanese dollar.

Guyana is known for its dense rainforests, exotic wildlife, and vast savannahs. The country is also home to the world-famous Kaieteur Falls, a towering waterfall that is five times higher than Niagara Falls. Other popular natural attractions include the Iwokrama Forest Reserve, Shell Beach, and the Essequibo River.

Guyana is also rich in history and culture, with influences from its colonial past and African and Indian heritage. Visitors can explore the historic capital city of Georgetown, with its colorful wooden houses and colonial architecture, and visit the St. George's Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden churches in the world. Other cultural attractions include the Guyana National Museum and the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology.

The country is also known for its delicious cuisine, which is a fusion of African, Indian, and Caribbean flavors. Popular dishes include pepperpot, a spicy meat stew, and curry dishes made with chicken, fish, or vegetables.

Travelers to Guyana are advised to take precautions due to high crime rates, especially in Georgetown. It is also important to take precautions against mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever and malaria. Visitors are advised to take malaria medication and use mosquito repellent to avoid getting bitten.

Telephone Code
592

Local Emergency Phone
999

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)

Currency (Code)
Guyanese dollars (GYD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
120 V, 240 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, D, G

Major Languages
English, Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani), Chinese

Major Religions
Protestant 34.8%, Hindu 24.8%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, other Christian 20.8%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
Kaieteur Falls; Canopy Walkway; Marshall Falls; Saint George's Cathedral; Orinduik Falls; Shell Beach

Major Sports
Cricket, soccer, field hockey, rounders (similar to baseball)

Cultural Practices
Direct eye contact is appreciated in Guyana, and refusal to meet someone's gaze can be seen as suspicious.

Tipping Guidelines
In restaurants, 10-15% of the bill is conventional. A tip of $2-10 (USD) a day for your guide and $1-3 (USD) for your driver is acceptable.

Souvenirs
Carved wooden animals, handmade slippers, leather goods, beadwork, woven cloth hammocks and dyed fabrics, glassware

Traditional Cuisine
Pepperpot — a stewed meat dish with beef, pork, or mutton, flavored with cinnamon, cassareep (a sauce made from the cassava root), and other ingredients, including Caribbean hot peppers; typically served with homemade bread, rice, or roti and/or boiled vegetables such as cassava, eddoes, sweet potatoes, and green or ripe plantains

Geography
Area
total: 214,969 sq km
land: 196,849 sq km
water: 18,120 sq km

Climate
tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)

Natural resources
bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

People and Society
Population
791,739 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
East Indian 39.8%, African descent 29.3%, mixed 19.9%, Amerindian 10.5%, other 0.5% (includes Portuguese, Chinese, White) (2012 est.)

Languages
English (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), Chinese (2014 est.)

Religions
Protestant 34.8% (Pentecostal 22.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 5.2%, Methodist 1.4%), Hindu 24.8%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, other Christian 20.8%, other 0.9%, none 3.1% (2012 est.)

Population growth rate
0.28% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Georgetown

Economy
Economic overview
small South American export economy; COVID-19 disruptions and commodity price drops; high emigration and remittances; widespread poverty; recently discovered oil and gas reserves; formalizing financial sector; large bauxite and gold resources

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$17.64 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$21,900 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
rice, sugar cane, coconuts, pumpkins, squash, gourds, milk, eggplants, green chillies/peppers, poultry

Industries
bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining

Exports
$4.64 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Trinidad and Tobago 31%, Canada 11%, Portugal 11%, Ghana 8%, Norway 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
ships, gold, shipping containers, excavation machinery, aluminum ores, rice (2019)

Imports
$6.611 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 26%, Singapore 18%, Trinidad and Tobago 16%, Liberia 11%, China 5%, Norway 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, excavation machinery, shipping containers, aircraft (2019)